Meet Jenna: Jewish Bookworm of the Week!

by Allison Friedman / November 20, 2018

jenna

Allie: What brought you to DC?

Jenna: I moved to DC from LA to do my undergrad at Georgetown. I absolutely loved it. I feel like a Los Angeles traitor because I’m the 4th generation of my family to live in Los Angeles, but I find myself liking the East Coast better. I like being surrounded by so many young people, and that DC is so densely packed in.

Allie: How do you relax at the end of a long work day?

Jenna: I read a book with wine. Right now, I’m reading a biography of Sandy Kofax. It’s a beautiful biography.

What’s your favorite book of all time?

Jenna: The Wrinkle in Time book by Madeleine L’Engle. Those were my favorite books as a kid, it was hard for the movie to live up to them.

Allie: Describe your perfect DC day?

Jenna: I’d go to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market with a friend, taste different cheeses, and buy fancy products that I don’t need. Then, I would play softball or volleyball on the National Mall with one of my DC Fray teams. After that, tI’d wander around the city and try out a new restaurant, check out a museum, and grab drinks with friends. I love Rasika, their crispy baby spinach is the best.

Allie: I hear you work at the RAC, can you explain to me what the RAC is/does?

Jenna: The RAC (Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism) is the social justice and organizing arm of the Reform Jewish movement. We are nonpartisan, and take action based on enduring Jewish values.

Allie: What’s your favorite Jewish holiday?

Jenna: Passover. I didn’t celebrate many holidays growing up, so celebrating Passover in college was the first time I had a big Jewish holiday experience. I love to cook and host people, and hosting seders is one of my favorite newly created traditions. I also love that Passover has a lot of room for different interpretations. I’ve been to a feminist seder and a racial justice seder; there are so many ways to apply the story of Passover to modern day and have meaningful conversations with friends.

jenna g

Allie: Favorite Jewish food?

Jenna: I love to make (and eat) Shakshuka. It really doesn’t take that much effort to make, but people don’t know that, so you look like a star.

Allie: What’s at the top of your life bucket list?

Jenna: I’d love to go Greece and see the ancient ruins. I’m fascinated by Greek mythology. Something on my professional bucket list is that I’d love to work on a presidential campaign where I can go live somewhere that I’ve never lived before, work my butt off for a year for no pay, eat pizza, and get to be on the ground and in a community during a presidential race.

Allie: When Jews of DC Gather…

Jenna: Make new friends, and have meaningful and different conversations.

jenna

 

The views and opinions expressed in this blog and on this website are solely those of the original authors. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the organization GatherDC, the GatherDC staff, the GatherDC board, and/or any/all contributors to this site.